Page 41 of A Keeper of Time

“I believe so,” Melusina said.

Maggie had been standing nearby listening in on their conversation. “Ye must speak with the people whose lives have been upended at Evanore’s hand,” she stated.

Edna watched Evanore as she bristled at what Maggie had just said.

Maggie, to her credit, didn’t back down. “It would only be fair. They are affected by this as well.”

Edna silently applauded Maggie. Not only was she an excellent witch, she wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she believed to be right and true.

Melusina gave Maggie a nod of the head before continuing. “Mardella, contact the others and see to it that they get here. For now we await their arrival. Evanore, are there rooms in this house for all of us?”

Evanore gave Edna a sharp look before turning on the hostess charm for her guests. “There are. I’ll have me servant show ye to them.” With a flick of her fingers, Barnes appeared in the doorway. “Please show our guests to their rooms.”

“Wait! What about me husband? Can I see me husband?” Edna asked. He was right outside that door and she needed to be with him more than anything in this moment. “I can wait outside with the others.”

“I’m afraid no’. Ye will stay here as ye have been.” Daire moved towards Barnes along with Melusina and Mardella.

“I’ll let him ken yer fine,” Maggie said. “I promise.” She squeezed Edna’s hand and stayed by her side as the others prepared to leave.

Edna bowed her head, not wishing any of them to see the tears forming in her eyes. This had been a stressful time for her and the light at the end of the tunnel had just been dimmed. “Thank ye, Maggie dear.”

Evanore left the room, followed by the three witches.

“Wait! How do I get back outside?” Maggie asked.

Evanore waved a hand at the door and it opened. “Go on.”

“I’ll be back as soon as I talk to Uncle.” Maggie turned and left Edna standing where she was in the middle of the sitting room. The last thing she wanted to do was to anger the Council. She was counting on them to see things her way.

Chapter 12

Over the next two days, witches seemed to be arriving in groups of two or three with an occasional witch arriving on her own.

Angus and the others sat around the fire watching and waiting for any sign that the trial was about to begin.

Angus was exhausted from all the waiting. It had been taxing him both mentally and physically. He bid good night to the others and found a quiet spot away from everyone where he could close his eyes and perhaps forget for a while that his wife had been taken from him and he wasn’t sure when he would see her again.

He was seething and he had no idea what to do with his anger. Edna kept him calm. She kept him balanced. “Edna, I need ye,” he whispered then fell into a sound sleep and dreamed. “All will be well, me love,” Edna’s voice came to him from somewhere behind him.

He spun around, thinking she must be right there, but she wasn’t.

“Edna?”

“Aye, love. I’m here.”

He searched for her behind the nearby trees and along the banks of the stream. “Where are ye?”

“I’m here.” She appeared out of nowhere but just beyond his reach.

“Is it really ye?” he asked holding out a hand to touch her, but unable to move his feet to get close enough. “Or is it someone trying to fool me?” He prayed it wasn’t so.

“It’s really me,” she assured him.

“Oh, Edna I’m lost without ye.” He allowed the pain and anguish he’d been feeling to come out, no longer trying to hide it.

“It will no’ be long until we’re together again,” she said.

“Do ye believe it?” he asked, a note of desperation in his voice.